Related articles

The Gunners are even said to have made contact with the Turkey under-21 international's representatives with the view to a future move.

Creative teenage midfielder Kokcu has enjoyed a breakthrough season in the Eredivisie, producing two goals and four assists in 22 appearances before the campaign was ended abruptly and prematurely due to the coronavirus.

And with Arsenal in need of extra creativity from midfield with the on-loan Dani Ceballos to return to Real Madrid at the end of the season, Kokcu is an attractive proposition.

The 19-year-old is already "one of the best midfield players" in Holland per Manchester United legend and former Feyenoord boss Jaap Stam.

Arsenal could face Chelsea battle for £23m target as four other clubs 'very interested' (Image: GETTY)

Arsenal could face Chelsea battle for £23m target as four other clubs 'very interested' (Image: GETTY)

But according to Voetbal International's Martijn Krabbendam, Arsenal will have to beat a number of clubs to sign Kokcu - who has rejected a new contract at De Kuip.

The north London club, he says, have already made contact with Kokcu's people - but Real Betis, Sevilla, Roma and Atalanta are also all in the mix.

And Premier League rivals Chelsea are also claimed to be admirers of Kokcu's talents with Frank Lampard looking to make his first signings as manager this summer.

“There has been an offer from Feyenoord, and he has refused,” Krabbendam told Voetbal International of the player's future.

“Feyenoord are offering something, and Kökcü wants more, you shouldn’t think that that boy is suddenly asking for millions.

READ MORE

“He’s a basic player and the salary is out of all proportion to what some of Feyenoord’s other players earn. Some of the boys on the bench are also earning more.

“Feyenoord will know that one of the greatest talents will have to be better rewarded. If they don’t approach each other, the club will have to think about selling the player, and that’s all there is to it.

“It’s no secret that Arsenal has already spoken to Kokcu’s agents, the Seville clubs are also very interested in the midfielder.

“Chelsea is still playing in the background. Also, the Italian clubs Atalanta Bergamo and AS Roma are still very interested.”

Kokcu's former manager Stam believes he has what it takes to make the move to England, but warned him about the increase in intensity.

“He would need to adjust because the step to Arsenal and the Premier League is totally different when you compare it to Holland,” Stam told Goal.

“The pace of the game, the quality, the intensity is a lot higher.

Arsenal could face Chelsea battle for £23m target as four other clubs 'very interested' (Image: GETTY)

Trending

“But he has the ability. He is a player who has the personality to want to improve, he always wants to do better.

"He’s never happy with himself, he’s disappointed if he doesn’t score, or his passes aren’t good enough.

“When I joined Feyenoord, he hadn’t played a lot because everyone said he was too young.

"I put him in the first team and let him play most of the games, I trusted him and saw a lot of ability in him.

"Now he’s proving himself in Holland and is one of the best midfield players in the country.

“He’s certainly got the ability to make that step to the Premier League.”